Atlanta Hawks: Studs and duds from second loss to the 76ers this season

Atlanta Hawks dud after losing to 76ers again: The Hawks need Huerter for more than one quarter

Kevin Huerter has been on a similar ride to Gallinari in that his offense has come and gone this season. They’ve swapped places from the last game. Although the former has certainly been “on” more than “off” compared to the latter. Still, the player known as ‘Red Velvet’ has scored double-digit points in half of his appearances this season.

The Hawks were previously 7-3 when scored at least 10 points this season.

He is averaging 13.1 points on 53.9 percent shooting and 43.9 percent from downtown over the Hawks last eight games.

In the rematch with Philadelphia, Huerter finished with 12 points while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor and going 1-of-3 from three-point land. He also had a pair of rebounds to go with a pair of assists. It’s his second straight game with double-digit points.

The problem is he that scored 10 of those 12 points in the third quarter. Huerter was 3-of-4 from the floor and 2-of-3 from three in that frame. Outside of that, he was just 1-of-5 from the floor and 0-for-3 from deep in this game. His only other points came in the first quarter after he missed his first three attempts.

What’s more is Huerter was the worst defender on the court for his team on Friday, allowing his assignments to shoot over 71 percent against him.

He has been a better defender than an offensive player in enough games this season to suggest that side of things will be better. After all, he had just three points in their first meeting. But his offensive inconsistency has been a theme of this season.

Everyone has had to take their play up a notch with the injuries the Hawks have had.

Huerter has shown the requisite skillset that has even had The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner lay out a case for him to continue starting even when the team is healthy (subscription required). They just needed a little bit more from him on Friday.